Jafra Lehua Kahealani Depontes
Jafra Lehua Kahealani Depontes, 43, of Kailua-Kona died Oct. 24. She was a loving daughter, wife and mother. Visitation 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 at Kahaluu Ma Kai. Celebration of life service at 11:30 a.m. Luncheon to follow. Survived by husband, Andrew; daughters, Kilihea, Anaha, One‘ula; father, Jayme (Sabine) Depontes; mother Liane Depontes; brother, Nainoa (Emily) Depontes; stepbrothers. Kane Depontes and Ryan Depontes; grandmother, Nita Depontes; aunts, uncles, a nephew and cousins. Arrangements by Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Allan Georges Grapard
Allan Georges Grapard, PhD, 81, of Honomu died Dec. 8 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in France, he was a professor of East Asian languages and cultural studies at the University of California-Santa Barbara and held a deep and lifelong love of Japan, its language and culture. Private services on Oahu at a later date. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Carolyn Isono-Grapard of Honomu; daughter, Cecile Grapard Retrosi of Canastota, N.Y.; son, Pascal Grapard of Montana; brothers, Yannick Grapard, Jacques Grapard and Francois Grapard of France; three grandsons; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary and Mililani Memorial Park.
Mitchell “Mitch” Mahelani Pelekane
Mitchell “Mitch” Mahelani Pelekane, 59, of Riverton, N.J.., died June 13. Born in Kailua-Kona, he was a flight attendant for United Airlines, a U.S. Air Force Iraq War veteran, held a master’s degree from Thomas Edison State University and enjoyed paddling, cooking and singing. Visitation 9-10:45 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Hale Halawai Park Pavilion, 75-5760 Alii Dr. in Kailua-Kona. Celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Fellowship to follow. Survived by life partner, Dr. Brian Fedgchin of Riverton, N.J.; mother, Monica Enos of Kailua-Kona; sisters Kauikeolani Pelekane of Honolulu and Michele Pelekane of Seattle; hanai brother, Michael “Nui” (Beth) Lester of Mississippi; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Miriam Matsui
Miriam Matsui, 87, of Beaverton, Ore., formerly of Hilo, died Jan. 9 at home. Born in Lanai City, Lanai, she was a retired kindergarten teacher at Pahoa Elementary School. Survived by sister, Jeannette Okada of Hilo; brothers Jerold (Christine) Matsui of Eugene, Ore., and Arlen Matsui of Burnsville, Minn.; three nieces and three nephews, four grandnieces and five grandnephews, and a great-grandnephew.
Steven Phillip Poulin
Steven Phillip Poulin, 69, of Honokaa died Nov. 13 at Honokaa Hospital. No known family. Call Dodo Mortuary at (808) 935-5751 for info. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Charles “Charlie” Masao Sato
Charles “Charlie” Masao Sato, 82, of Pahoa died Oct. 27 in Las Vegas. Born in Pahala, he was retired from the former Trojan Lumber Co., a member of Puna Hongwanji Mission and Senior Young Buddhist Association, Pahoa Nikkei Jin Kai, Higashi Machi Kumiai and East 91直播 Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, and avid bowler and softball player. Visitation 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Puna Hongwanji Mission, 16-492 Old Volcano Rd. in Keaau. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Casual attire; no flowers. Online condolences: dodomortuary.com. Survived by wife, Marilyn Sato of Pahoa; children, Robin Sato of Hilo, Charles Sato Jr. of California and Alison (Eric Bihag) Sato of Hilo; brother, Ralph (Aida) Sato of Hilo; sisters, Mae (George) Nakamura and Janet Louis of California, Miriam (Ronald) Alcosiba of Pahala; brothers-in-law, Wayne (Sandra) Toma of Kaneohe, Oahu, Byron (Carol) Toma of Hilo and Wendell Toma of Pahoa; sister-in-law, Ann Toma of Hilo; nephews, nieces, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Itsuko “Janet” Sawada
Itsuko “Janet” Sawada, 94, of Hilo died Dec. 23 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Kealakekua, she was retired from the former Mr. Papaya Co. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Online condolences: dodomortuary.com. Survived by daughter, Rene (Dean Norwood) Nishimoto of Honolulu; brother, Masamori (Eva) Takaki of Hilo; daughter-in-law, Sandra Sawada of Keaau; sister-in-law, Ayame Takaki of Hilo; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces, and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary,
